Female Arab film-makers in the spotlight at London festival

Leila Kilani's first feature On the Edge, takes inspiration from real events London – Arabstoday Female Arab film-makers were honoured last night at the Birds Eye View Film Festival in London. Women- directors from Tunisia, Lebanon and Morocco were celebrated at the event. Morocco’s Leila Kilani won best feature for her first full-length feature film, On the Edge.
The film was first screened at Cannes 2011 and tells the story of four young women in Tangier, Morocco who become involved in criminal activities.
Lebanese director Eliane Raheb picked up the best documentary award for Sleepless Nights. The film explores attempts of reconciliation after the Lebanon Civil War in 1975. Her work has been praised as successfully encapsulating the country’s damaged soul after the conflict.
The festival's rising talent award for best short film went to Tunisian Leyla Bouzid.
Bouzid’s film, Soubresauts, a French word translated as sudden start, delves into the taboos of the Tunisian middle classes.
Kate Gerova, creative director of Birds Eye View said she has been delighted by the response to this year's festival.
The eight-day festival is expected to come to an end on Thursday with the screening of Habibi, a romantic movie set in Gaza.